- guardian.co.uk, Thursday 1 May 2008 01.09 BST
Photograph: AP
What will I learn?
A degree in the classics will offer you the chance to delve into the ancient past to study the language, history, culture and literature of the two civilisations that led the world for centuries - Greek and Roman.
The period covered in classics courses begins at the arrival of Greek speakers in mainland Greece around the beginning of the second millennium BC to the western Roman empire in the fifth century AD and, ultimately, its fall.
What you study will depend on the degree you pick and the university. Courses are typically divided up into ancient Greek, Latin, classical studies/civilisation and ancient history, each of which will have a different emphasis. Another option is a combined course with archaeology.
Of course, to fully understand and appreciate this subject, you need to immerse yourself in it, and that means learning the language and paying a visit.
Some universities will make modules in Greek or Latin a compulsory part of the course, for others they may be optional or offered in addition to the regular study areas, either way, learning the language is worth the effort to fully understand old texts.
Universities may also offer the chance to study overseas, in Greece or Italy, to help bring all that theory to life.
What skills will it give me?
Some have argued that there are no practical reasons for studying classics, but they couldn't be more wrong.
True, you won't come away with the practical ability to mix chemicals safely, design a house or understand the workings of the human mind, but you will be able to prove you can analyse complex information and relate it to the modern world.
You will be able to assess the failings and successes of leaders and their early politics. And your subject will touch on a range of subjects - art, literature, history, science, Jewish and eastern studies and philosophy - which can all be used to develop understanding of today's multicultural society.
If you persevere with a language, you'll also demonstrate commitment and show off your translation skills - not a skill common to other students outside specific language degrees.
And any time abroad is evidence of an independent streak.
What job can I get?
It has been said (usually by classics professors) that a degree in classics will not prepare you for a specific job, but will, in fact, prepare you for life. And there's some truth in that.
While a career in academia is certainly high up on the job options, classics graduates have been known to go into law, medicine, education, science, business, journalism, heritage or the diplomatic service. It's the invaluable soft skills (commitment, leadership, communication, teamwork) that you will get from this degree that will put you in a good position for just about anything.
What will look good on the CV?
· The understanding of another culture
· The ability to extract key elements from data
· A grasp of language and translation skills
· For the full range of skills you can develop through a degree in classics click here (pdf).
